Ahh, DIY Vitamin Waters to Refresh and Hydrate

I’ve shared versions of these before but since it’s that time of year when hydration is so important, here they are again. And even if you just have lemon or lime, put a squeeze of that in your water for an immune system boost and kidney health.

HOMEMADE VITAMIN WATER

No need to buy these trendy and sometimes expensive drinks at the store. Plus making it yourself gives you control as to what goes in – all natural, all good! This drink is full of antioxidants and hydrating.

Pour 6 cups good quality water in a pitcher

Add:

1 large lemon or lime, thinly sliced (good for stress & immune system) – you can also make a combo of lemons, lime and even oranges

1 small cucumber, skin left on and sliced thinly (hydrating) – or substitute borage or salad burnet, both herbal cucumber substitutes – borage has a beautiful blue flower .

Take a spoon and smoosh everything gently. This releases the good oils of the fruit & herbs. Chill, strain and serve, garnished with a fresh herb, flower, or citrus slice.

RITA’S SPA WATER WITH LEMON AND MINT

If you’d go to an exclusive spa, you might be served a version of my spa water. Healthful and hydrating, this is the way to go! Check out my website at Abouteating.com for the article Country Gardens did on my herb garden. The spa water is one of the featured recipe. I keep tweaking this recipe and here’s how I make it now:

Fill a glass or pitcher a quarter or half way up with peppermint. Then add enough lemon slices to almost fill the pitcher. As you put the mint and lemon in, smoosh them with a spoon to release healthful oils and juices. Fill with water let infuse at least 30 minutes, sweeten with Stevia or honey, and enjoy. This drink is refillable!

Why this recipe is good for you:

The lemons help you burn carbs more slowly, helps your body utilize the iron that you get from foods, and also is a gentle liver cleanser, plus lemon juice helps form and repair the collagen in your body. Lemons contain good amounts of iron, copper, potassium and calcium. The vitamin C in the lemon helps with stress and is good for your immune system, as well.

Peppermint contains vitamin C and A and is great for the digestion.

Stevia is a non-caloric, diabetic safe, sweetener, 30 to hundreds of times sweeter than sugar.

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